Commissioners to vote soon on $200 million marina plan

By Mike Benbow

Herald Writer

EVERETT — Everett’s port commissioners appear ready to approve a waterfront redevelopment plan that would cost some $200 million, dramatically increase public access to the waterfront and provide about 2,500 ongoing jobs.

The proposal, outlined for the port commission Tuesday by private developer Maritime Trust, won’t come up for a vote until next week. But it was clear the two commissioners present — Don Hopkins and Jim Shaffer — liked what they saw.

Plans call for redevelopment of what the port calls its north marina area adjacent to the 10th Street boat launch. The project, which would take about six years to complete, calls for:

An expanded marina, dry boat storage area and boat repair area.

About 1.5 miles of public walkways and bikeways, viewpoints and public plazas for concerts and other events. Parking also would be greatly expanded.

Additional restaurants and retail shops.

Some low-rise office buildings.

Housing.

Redevelopment of the public boat launch and park off 10th Street, with the addition of a child’s playground.

Commissioners will be offered three variations of the development plan and are expected to approve all three to keep their options open as the project winds it way through the permit processes of a variety of local, state and federal agencies.

Neither Hopkins nor Shaffer had questions or criticisms of the proposal.

Shaffer’s main concern was that the staff of both the port and Maritime Trust had done sufficient homework to secure the required permits without major problems or delay.

"We’ve got a half a million plus into this right now," he said of port funds. "We drew some pretty pictures. Now we’re going to start spending some dough. I just don’t want to get halfway through this and have something pop up."

Shaffer was assured that city planners and elected officials were solidly behind the basic concept.

"We’ve gotten to the point with the city where I don’t think there will be any show stoppers," port planner Graham Anderson said.

If the concept wins approval next week, it will likely take 18 months for the various governments to review potential environmental problems and issue permits. The construction work isn’t expected to begin until the fall of 2003.

Shaffer told Maritime Trust officials the port’s chief concerns were not in the details, but rather the quality of the work, how various elements were timed and the return the port district will get for its money.

Consultant Paul Sorensen told the commissioners that the construction work itself should provide $35 million in payroll over the six years. After completion, it should add about 2,500 jobs with an average salary of $44,000 a year, he said.

He said he couldn’t estimate how many jobs would be lost from businesses forced to relocate that either closed down or moved out of the area.

While the port has paid for initial development, it’s now in negotiations with Maritime Trust over who will pay the remaining costs. Most of the expenses are expected to come from private developers.